Bicycles are everywhere at the moment! Where I live, in very flat countryside not far from Maidstone, it’s impossible to go out, either on foot or in the car, without coming across someone two-wheeling their way to somewhere. My children will tell you that I’m not very tolerant of cyclists, especially the ones that ride side by side with a whole queue of motorised traffic behind them or those that come up behind me when I’m walking the dogs and say (because they haven’t got a bell) ting-a-ling-a-ling. I ask you, a full grown man (and it is usually men) trying to sing his way past me and my dogs! Then again they’re usually wearing very tight, shiny lycra! But perhaps it’s not very manly to have a bicycle bell, maybe someone will enlighten me…
On the other hand I’m not anti-cyclists altogether. I think it’s a great way of getting around, whether in Maidstone or in the glorious surrounding countryside, and keeping fit. It’s also very environmentally friendly not to mention cost-effective – I mean have you seen the price of diesel recently? Yes, I thought you had! But weather is a huge factor and it does make me think when I’m out dog walking in snow, ice, rain, hail, thunderstorms where all the cyclists have gone – waiting inside for fair weather to arrive in the Maidstone area, that’s where! Although that’s not entirely fair as I know several people who cycle to and from the station, for instance, not only in all manner of precipitation but also in pitch black during the long winter months. I object less to this kind of cycling and to people who are biking all the way to work or with a real purpose; it’s the ones who clog up the roads and lanes because it’s a nice day and they just feel like getting on their bikes and going for a long, long bicycle ride and hang people in cars on a mission, such as mums on the school run (me again!)!
However, I know I’m not popular with the cycling fraternity either. A friend once commented, when we were out walking and my dogs were barking at a passing cyclist, that her biking husband hates dogs that bark at cyclists. A fair point – I’m clearly guilty of that, or at least my dogs are! On one occasion a couple were cycling along, minding their own business when my dogs started barking at the husband, who was a bit ahead of his wife. He stopped she didn’t and went crashing into the back of him. I felt terribly guilty and embarrassed, so imagine my surprise when the wife turned to me as I started to apologise and said it really wasn’t my, or the dogs fault, rather her husband’s because he shouldn’t have stopped! There was no harm done to the best of my knowledge (I trust they’re still married), but I felt we’d got off lightly. I also get very cross when a passing cyclist tries to tell me how to keep my unruly dogs under control – but they’re only trying to be helpful as they watch me struggle with my canine friends and my, well, embarrassed guilt!
But I think my problem with bicycles is as much to do with jealousy as it is to do with guilt. I did have a bicycle once and I did ride it in our country lanes but I found it massively hard work – and very uncomfortable, so I took the easy path and gave up! However, and I don’t really know if I should say this given the above, I’m thinking of getting another one, a better one as I’m told the right bike can make all the difference. To this end I’ve done a very small amount of research and if you’re thinking of buying a bike here are a few tips for what to look for in the perfect two-wheeled contraption. Better not ride it round here though with my dreadful dogs at large!
1. Ask for advice from the bicycle shop as to what they think is the best bike for you. It’s worth getting it right not just for comfort and easy-riding, but also it’s likely to be a largish investment and not one you want to regret. On the other hand think of all the money you’ll save on fuel once you’ve got your bike!
2. While you’re in the shop ask them to ensure that the saddle is at the correct height for you. I understand that your leg should be only slightly bent at the knee when pushing down on the pedals.
3. Invest in a padded seat or padded shorts (or both!) to give your bottom maximum comfort! Cycling gloves are also a good idea to keep your hands from getting rough and sore.
4. Once you’re on your bike practise pedalling quickly as this will apparently give maximum momentum with minimum exertion – and we’re all for that!
So, it doesn’t look too hard does it? All you’ve got to do now is find a bicycle shop and we’re not short of those in and around the Maidstone area!
Happy cycling – or recycling if, like me, you’re taking it up again! – and don’t let barking dogs put you off!
Until next time
India J